The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-08
FOR WORKING GIRLS,
some Commou-Sense Advice as to Hoy
They Can and Shouid Dress.

Some Commou-Sense Advice as to How
They Can and shouid Dress.
This letter is addressed particularly
To that class of girls, who, through
many difficulties, are obliged to learn
sheir bread by the sweat of their brow"
And to this class my heart goes out
in tender sympathy" It is not my
Intention to denounse fashions iudis-
eriminately. In fact, it is very neces-
sary we should have them. If we
ignored them altogether we would
make ourselves painfully conspicuous
if not ridiculous. 1t is important that
girls should pay attention to their
dress. Inattention is to be deplored.
Zones character exhibits itself in ones
dress, and he who runs may read. /
honor girls who endeavor to make the
most of what they have. Dress will
enable you to exhibit taste, and foster
ingenuity and neatness. SO long as it
only occupies the time you can con-
scientiously allot TO it, sit is salutary.
refining, giving pleasure to your friends
and to yourself" But the trouble with
too many of our girls. is. that they
study dress to the exclusion of nearly
every thing else.
Many girls might acquire thorough
knowledge of one of the languages. or
perfect herself in music or painting.
besides storing her mind with good
literature, in the time which she spends
before her mirror or dallying with her
6ressmaker.
Woman has always loved to orna-
ment herself, and doubtless always will.
The women of ancient times had their
bracelets. earrings and crisping pins
And, Judging from the pictures recently
taken from the tombs. had artists to de-
sign their gowns. while we have only
dressmakers to defOrm us.
Girls dependent on their own exer-
tiOnS for livelihood can i'll afford to
waste their precious time or health in
following penicious fashions. If there
is any of that to be done, let the con-
tract out to the ''sassity" girl. She
has nothing to do but catch a rich hus-
band. her hands are rs empty Us her
head; but the working girl has brain.
which the world may yet hear from.
NOw, as to how you shall dress. We
will suppose you to be Il clerk in a dry
goods store. First have your hair be-
cOmingly arranged and your feet COM
fortably dressed. You need never
expect to accomplish much with num-
Der foG- foot in Il number two shoe. Let
your dress be of some pretty neutral
color, which will not show dust. Do
not have the skirt loaded with trim
ming or drawn back so tight as to i'm
pede the free movement of the limbs.
Girls who are on their feet ten hours a
day have no strength to spare in drag
ging around unnecessary clothing. Let
the dress fit exquisitely. and the neck
and wrists be finished with immaculate
linen collars and cuffs. Then if you
have any dainty ornaments. wear them;
but if not, and you possess a healthy,
happy face, there is no danger that you
will not be admired.
1t is the cheapest in the long run to
get the best material. Have it made
in the prevailing fashion; not the ex-
treme; then wear it while it is in the
fashion, and not save it up to the wor-
ry and expense OF making it over.
If your purse is sufficiently plethoric,
have one handsome suit for dress occa-
sions. If such dress is beyond your
means, a street dress can be rendered
quite ''dressy" by exchanging the stiff
collars and cuffs for soft ruching
or laces and pretty ribbons, which
dainty feminine fingers know so well
how to arrange.-CLeceLalsd Leader.